Vegetable Lo Mein Noodles - Instant Pot Recipe (2025)

Published: · Modified: by Prajakta Sukhatme · This post may contain affiliate links · 25 Comments

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Vegetable Lo Mein noodles is a classic Chinese noodles recipe full of colorful veggies and tossed in an easy sauce. No need for take out when you can make your own in just 20 minutes!

I am including instructions to make these vegan lo mein on the stove top as well as in electric pressure cooker like Instant Pot.

Vegetable Lo Mein Noodles - Instant Pot Recipe (1)

Similar to Chili Garlic Noodles and Stir Fry Rice Noodles , this is my favorite noodles recipe. Easy, scrumptious and family favorite.

Jump to:
  • Better than take out
  • Ingredients
  • How to make
  • What are the benefits of cooking noodles in Instant Pot?
  • Serving Suggestions
  • FAQ
  • Vegetable Lo Mein Noodles – Instant Pot Recipe

Better than take out

P.F. Chang’s, Panda Express and similar Chinese restaurants whip out some amazing lo mein noodles. I absolutely love these noodles for a quick and easy meal.

But time it takes to get out of the house and pick up the food or the time it takes for these places to deliver the food seems like eternity.

By the time food comes, kids and I often end up eating whatever is around and that’s not good.

So I keep a few wonderful recipes that can be done in 20 minutes or so in my repertoire. These easy and quick recipes are life ( hunger) saviors since they are no fuss too.

Plus they match the flavors and taste of takeout. You control the quality of ingredients , don’t have to worry about MSG or other hard to pronounce filler ingredients. Clean healthy eating made easy !

The beauty of these recipes is simplicity and versatility. You can get going with basic pantry ingredients and then mix and match with whatever you have in refrigerator… 20 minutes of chef show and dinner is served !!

Vegetable Lo Mein Noodles - Instant Pot Recipe (2)

So my friends, let’s put your chef’s hat on and let’s get cooking these Vegetable Lo Mein Noodles.

Ingredients

Vegetable Lo Mein Noodles - Instant Pot Recipe (3)

How to make

Prepare Noodles : The first step is to boil your noodles. I used spaghetti noodles, but you can really use any long noodle – linguine, Hakka noodles, Asian rice noodles, use any that you have handy.

Make The Sauce : While the noodles are boiling, gather ingredients to make that lip smacking yummy sauce. Most of the ingredients for the sauce can be found in the major grocery stores, Asian food markets or Amazon.

Prep the veggies: I like a little crunch in my lo mein noodles, so I add in some colorful veggies. Cut these veggies thin. So they cook quickly. A quick sauté/ stir fry is all you need to do.

Mix it all together : Adjust the seasoning and you are done !! Vegetable lo mein are ready to be devoured!!

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What are the benefits of cooking noodles in Instant Pot?

  • I love cooking noodles and pasta in Instant Pot. It is so much simple and easier. First only one pot is used in cooking. So easier clean up afterwards.
  • Additionally, it saves time and efforts since no need to boil the water and noodles, stir the noodles, drain the water etc. You are saving time by cooking everything in a single pot without monitoring it.
  • Pasta and noodles cooked in Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker are very moist and soft. They tend be little more stickier than traditionally cooked noodles.
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Variations

  • These lo-mein noodles are great served warm, cold or at room temperature.
  • Looking for a little more protein? Add in your favorite like tofu, seitan, eggs, chicken or shrimp.
  • Don’t like the veggies I used ? Substitute your favorites. Just try to cut them even and thinly sliced so they cook well.
  • What if you don’t have all the sauces ? You can skip a few like rice vinegar by using lemon juice instead. You can use any other Chinese stir fry sauce or even Teriyaki sauce.

Serving Suggestions

I serve my lo mein noodles with a side of Chili Garlic Edamame for a lunch or dinner that’s authentic and satisfying. A side of Chinese Spicy Eggplant or Miso Glazed Grilled Veggies is wonderful too.

You can also serve it with a side of kung pao tofu or smoked tofu for wholesome filling meal.

Vegetable Lo Mein Noodles - Instant Pot Recipe (6)

Delicious Instant Pot Recipes

  • Hibachi style Fried Rice – yet another better than take out meal.
  • Thai Red Curry – easy weeknight meal
  • Massman Curry – Vegan and wholesome curry
  • Curry Fried Rice – delicious one pot meal.

FAQ

What is the difference between Lo Mein and Chow Mein ?

We hear both these terms used interchangeably every so often. The primary difference is in the cooking technique of how these noodles are prepared. Chow Mein are crispy crunchy noodles since they are fried. Lo mein, on the other hand, are soft and tender since they are boiled.

Vegetable Lo Mein Noodles - Instant Pot Recipe (7)

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Vegetable Lo Mein Noodles - Instant Pot Recipe (8)

Vegetable Lo Mein Noodles – Instant Pot Recipe

Prajakta Sukhatme

Instant pot Vegetable Lo Mein noodles are easy to make at home. This 20 minute Chinese noodles recipe is ideal for weeknight dinners and tastes better than take outs.

4.62 from 137 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course dinner

Cuisine Chinese

Servings 6 cups

Calories 236 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Lo Mein Sauce Ingredients :

Optional Toppings / Garnishes

Instructions

INSTANT POT INSTRUCTIONS :

  • Press SAUTE button on the InstantPot. Add sesame oil to the inner pot of the Instant Pot and give it a swirl so the oil coats the bottom.. Add ginger and garlic and all the veggies. Sprinkle some salt. Stir and cook for few minutes till veggies are softened and tender. Cancel SAUTE. Remove the veggies and set aside.

  • Add water or broth to the inner steel insert. Deglaze the pot by scraping the bottom. Spread noodles across the bottom of the pot. Add all the listed sauce ingredients. Give the mixture a good stir. Close the lid. Valve at sealing position.

  • Choose MANUAL, high pressure, 4 minutes.

  • When Instant Pot is done cooking, do a quick release by moving the valve from sealing to venting. After the silver pin drops, carefully open the lid.

  • Stir the noodles few times, breaking up any that may have clumped together during cooking. Add back the earlier sautéed veggies.

  • Initially, your noodles will look watery. While stirring, you should see that noodles are absorbing the water. Stir well. Check and adjust the seasoning.

  • Scoop out the noodles. Garnish with chopped green onions, sesame seeds and serve warm.

Notes

  1. If the noodles look wet after cooked, turn the sauté mode and cook for few minutes so water evaporates.
  2. Take the steel insert out of the instant pot once cooked, so the noodles don’t overcook.
  3. Adjust the sauces to your taste when serving.
  4. do not do the natural release as it will cause your food to overcook).
  5. This noodles recipe is very versatile, you can change the vegetables and sauces to your preference.

How to Make Lo Mein Noodles on Stove Top?

Cook noodles according to package instructions. Heat oil in a wok or large skillet. Add in cut veggies. Sprinkle a pinch of salt. Sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Add in minced garlic and ginger and cook for an additional minute. Stir in the sauce ingredients and cooked noodles and toss to combine. Serve immediately with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for garnish.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 236kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 11gFat: 10gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 736mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7g

Did you make this recipe?Mention @ProfusionCurry or tag #ProfusionCurry!

Vegetable Lo Mein Noodles - Instant Pot Recipe (2025)

FAQs

How to pressure cook vegetables in an instant pot? ›

Pour 1 cup water into the Instant Pot and arrange a steamer basket on the bottom. Place the vegetables in the steamer basket, making sure the vegetables aren't touching the water. Secure the lid and move the steam release valve to Sealing. Select Manual/Pressure Cook to cook on high pressure for 0 minutes.

Do you rinse lo mein noodles? ›

Prepare the lo mein sauce by combining 2 tablespoons of hot stock/water, the oyster sauce, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, salt, sesame oil, sugar, and white pepper in a measuring cup or medium bowl. If using cooked lo mein noodles, rinse them under hot tap water to loosen them and drain thoroughly.

What is the difference between chow mein and lo mein noodles? ›

The biggest difference between chow mein and lo mein lies in the translations of their names: chow mein is fried, and lo mein is tossed. The experience is somewhat different between the two. Lo mein tends to be saucier and more toothsome, with a texture some describe as “slippery” because of the noodles' softness.

Why do my lo mein noodles stick together? ›

If the noodles are too soft (overcooked), the starch leach into the water and that's what makes them stick together and in the wok. So, maintain noodles al dente, that means firm when bitten. Sprinkle a little oil in the water and use chopsticks to separate the noodles during boiling.

How do you keep vegetables from getting mushy in an Instant Pot? ›

Tips for Perfectly Cooked Instant Pot Vegetables

Use a trivet or steamer basket. Cut veggies into equal pieces to ensure they are cooked the same way. Also, only cut veggies if necessary. Remember to add water at the bottom of the pot, as this is required to create the steam.

How much water do you put in a pressure cooker for vegetables? ›

Pour a 1/2 cup (125 ml) of water in the bottom of the pressure cooker if the vegetable's cooking time is less than 5 minutes. If the cooking time of the vegetable is between 5 and 10 minutes, use 1 cup (250 ml) of water. If the cooking time is between 10 and 20 minutes, use 2 cups (500 ml) of water.

What makes lo mein taste like lo mein? ›

The defining feature of any lo mein dish is the sauce, so make sure you take the time to get it right. Using dark soy sauce will give the lo mein color and a bolder taste while adding light soy sauce will give the dish some extra saltiness and flavor without staining the noodles darker.

What is lo mein sauce made of? ›

Lo mein sauce

It's a simple umami filled mix of light and dark soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, sugar, and a hint of ginger. It's super easy to make a batch of lo mein sauce and keep it in the fridge so you can easily make lo mein whenever the craving hits.

Why are my lo mein noodles mushy? ›

Things go fast, and you don't want to overcook the noodles. Once done, remove the lo mein from the boiling water right away, and drain. Don't wait, or the noodles may become overcooked and mushy. Rinse your drained noodles under cold water after cooking.

Is Chinese lo mein healthy? ›

Worst: Lo Mein

The noodles are made from white flour, which raises your blood sugar faster than fiber-rich whole grains. Plus, they're cooked with oil and soy sauce, so you get extra fat and sodium. Can't pass it up? Order the vegetable version, and only have half the order.

Why do they call it lo mein? ›

Etymology. The term lo mein comes from the Cantonese lou1 min6 (撈麵), meaning "stirred noodles".

Are lo mein noodles thick or thin? ›

What types of noodles are used for chow mein and lo mein? Traditional lo mein recipes usually call for fresh (not dry) noodles that are thick and chewy. On the other hand, chow mein can be made with both fresh and dried noodles, but these noodles are much thinner which makes them great for stir-frying in a wok.

What noodles are best for lo mein? ›

You want to buy an egg noodle or pasta that's relatively thin and has some tooth. Some common names will be lo mein, chow mein, egg noodles or pancit noodles. Most markets have Japanese yaki soba noodles in the cold case, and those would work perfectly.

How do restaurants keep noodles from sticking together? ›

Try Adding Oil Or Butter

Some chefs advise simply adding oil to the boiling water.

Can you use an Instant Pot to pressure can vegetables? ›

They acknowledge that instant pots are unsafe for pressure canning (as of 2023). While instant pots can be used for water bath canning, which can preserve high-acid foods like jams, jellies, fruit, and pickles, they cannot be used as a pressure canner to preserve low-acid foods like meat, vegetables, and soups.

How much liquid do I need to Pressure Cook in an Instant Pot? ›

Your Instant Pot needs liquid to work. If there's not enough, your pot won't be able to create enough steam to build pressure. About 1 cup is the minimum amount of liquid, so if you're cooking a recipe that will absorb water, like rice or beans, you'll need even more.

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